Improvement in lay figures, dolls



C. L. PARENT.

Improvement in Lay-Figures, Dolls, &c.

NO. 130,068, PatentedJulyBO, 1872.

. made according to my invention.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES LOUIS PARENT, OFv HAVRE, FRANCE.

IMPROVEMENT IN LAV FlGURESDOLLS, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l`30,06S, dated July 30, 1872.

Specification describing Improvements in Articulated Artists Puppets, Dolls, and other iigures of men, and also of animals, the invention of CHARLES LOUIS PARENT, of Havre, in the Republic of France.

This invention consists in the combination withball-and-socket joints of elastic or elastically-applied tendons, whereby the limbs and other component parts of an articulated tig- Y ure are secured together in such manner that they may be turned to any natural position, and will remain so, and are therefore fitted for artists gures as well as for childrens toys. e

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is a partly-sectional front view of a puppet Fig. 2 is an irregular side section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a detail view of the ball of one of the balland-socket joints.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts in the several figures.

The trunk of the figure is composed of two parts, A and B, the latter constituting the hips and the former the chest and adjacent parts of the trunk. The two are united by a ball, C, fitting partly in a socket in each, and an elastic tendon, D, passing through the three. The part A'has in its interior a cavity, a. sIn the upper part of the aforesaid part A there is a circular socket, which receives the lower portion of a ball, E, fitting partly within it and partly within the lower part of the head F of the figure, and forming the neck of the latter. .Balls G G, on the upper ends of 'the thigh-joints of the figure, t within sockets iii the piece B of the trunk, and have fitted to their under side a piece, H. The tend'pn D, before mentioned, is made of rubber 'or elastic material, and is knotted or otherwise enlarged at one end, and passed vertically through the head, through the part A, ball C, and part B, down between the thigh-balls G'Gr, and through the piece H, and is then stretched, and on the under side of the latter piece is knotted. By its elasticity .it then holds the parts united by it against nach other, and so preserves their joints. "he balls G G on the thighs are held laterally by a single elastic tendon, I, threaded through them, and knotted or otherwise enlaged at the ends. Immediately under the to a straight position.

balls G G the thighs `are recessed to receive the piece H, and also to facilitate the insertion of tendons J J, which secure the limbs of the legs together. K is the lower limb of the leg. It has formed on its upper end a ball, c, which fits in a cavity in the lower end of the thigh and forms the knee-joint. In the lower end of the limb K is a cavity, which receives a ball or semicircular convex projection, e, on the foot, and thus the anklejoint is formed. The tendons J J, which are lirst knotted or otherwise enlarged at the.

ends, are threaded through the thighs, lower limbs, or calves, and through the feet vertically, and are stretched and knotted, and by their elasticity then hold them all in contact, and thereby preserve their joints. Each of the arms is formed in two parts, L and M, the former of which has formed on its upper end a ball, f,which fits within a cavity or socket in the side ofthe part A of the trunk, and forms the shoulder-joint. In the lower end of the limb L there is a cavity for the reception of a ball formed on the upper end of ter in contiguity, with the trunk, the whole,

are secured together. The sockets of all the joints are represented as being eccentric to the balls, andthe latter are slotted, as shown at s in Fig. 3, in the direction in which the greatest iiexure is desired, so as to permit of their movement without stretching the tendons, and producing a tendency to draw them back Below or in rear of each ball of the knee and elbow joints there is a notch, shown particularly in Fig. 3, to permit the operation of the joint in the proper direction without interfering with the socket.

- The advantages of my puppet over those in common use are, that it possesses a much more graceful appearance, is very durable, and wheuadjusted to any position will remain so, there being no more strain on the tendons when the limbs are bent than when This last-named advantage is of vital importance when the puppet is designed straight.

for artists use.

material.

Figures of animals may be constructed on The tendons, instead of being elastic themselves, may be made of catgut or other suitable material, and may have applied to their ends springs made of metal or other the same principle.

Witnesses FRED. HAYNEs, HENRY LEVRAT. 

